Louisa
and the Country Bachelor
by Anna MacLean
We
all know that Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women and has
a well-loved place in readers' hearts, but what if this unconventional
woman also solved crimes? It's a good idea, for she and her family
led rather exceptional lives, and it is certainly easier to imagine
this happening to them than to many other historical figures. For
her debut, read Louisa and the Missing Heiress (essential
before this second installment I would say), and then pick up with
her and the rest of the Alcott clan in Walpole. Their world seems
deceptively peaceful, but an antagonistic storeowner, some tiresome
but mysterious neighbors, and a sudden death soon intrude upon their
idyll.
I
am not normally a fan of novels where the background and characters
are more interesting than the story, but here I make an exception.
This is not to say that the plot is dull (although it is less obtrusive
most of the time than in the first book), but reading about Louisa
and her wonderful, beautifully drawn family is a far bigger treat.
It is all here - her absentminded philosopher father, tantalising
reminiscences of her strange childhood, her friendship with people
like Fanny Kemble, and the way Louisa spent her days. This alone
is so enjoyable that the murder mystery seems to take a back seat
at times, but perhaps this makes the story more realistic, as life
goes on for Walpole and the Alcotts regardless of dramas. Having
Louisa tell the story in her own words makes it come to life even
more. This is one series where I will buy the next installment if
I don't get it to review! Very enjoyable, and if there is a future
novel about the Alcott's role in the Underground Railroad, so much
the better...
|
The
Book |
Signet Mystery (Penguin Group USA) |
April 2005 |
Paperback |
0451214714 |
Historical Crime [1855, New Hampshire] |
More
at Amazon.com |
Excerpt |
NOTE: |
The
Reviewer |
Rachel A Hyde |
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